It has had a violent history, and has been damaged and reconstructed many times. The Friars were often persecuted and subjected to raids by marauding groups. Today the Abbey is largely roofless, although apart from this is generally quite well preserved. Its most striking feature is a central courtyard which contains a large yew tree and is surrounded by a vaulted cloister.

In the 17th and 18th centuries it became the burial place for some prominent County Kerry poets, O'Donoghue, O'Rathaille and O'Suilleabhain.